Literature type: Scientific
Journal: Biological Conservation
Volume: 281
DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2023.110028
Language:
English
Full reference: Marolla, F., Aarvak, T. Hamel, S., Ims, R.A., Kéry, M., Mellard, J.P., Nater, C.R., Schaub, M., Vougioukalou, M., Yoccoz, N.G. & Øien, I.J. 2023. Life-cycle analysis of an endangered migratory goose to assess the impact of conservation actions on population recovery. Biological Conservation 281. https://www.dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2023.110028
Keywords: Goose management, State-space model, Management evaluation, Lesser white-fronted goose, Unmarked individuals, Non-breeding dynamics, migration
Abstract:
Evaluating the effectiveness of conservation actions is challenging for migratory species because a population can be impacted anywhere along its route. Conservation actions for the critically endangered Fennoscandian lesser white-fronted goose population include culling of red foxes in the breeding area and habitat improvements and reduction of illegal hunting in the non-breeding areas. One goal of the predator control strategy is to prevent adult birds from using an autumn migration route through western Asia, where mortality is believed to be higher than on the migration route through eastern Europe. We used 23 years of count data obtained at different staging areas to parameterize a seasonal state-space model describing the full-annual cycle dynamics of this population and evaluate whether the recent population recovery was linked to these conservation efforts. The results did not provide evidence that predator control influenced population recovery, as survival on the European route did not appear higher than on the allegedly riskier Asian route. However, adult survival at staging areas on both routes and at wintering sites may have improved in the last decade, suggesting a positive effect of the other conservation initiatives. These results emphasize the importance of including the non-breeding dynamics in population assessments of migratory species and highlight the challenge of evaluating the efficacy of separate conservation actions when a proper experimental design is unfeasible. Our study, which is a unique case of cross-national, coordinated conservation efforts, exemplifies how to model complex population dynamics to assess the influence of costly conservation initiatives.
Literature type: Book Chpt
Language:
English
Full reference: Saurola, P., Valkama, J. & Velmala, W. 2013. Lesser White-fronted Goose. Pp. 106-108 in:The Finnish bird ringing atlas. Vol.1. , Finnish museum of Natural History and Ministry of Environment, Helsinki - LWfG
Keywords: ringing, recoveries, recovery, occurrence, Finlnad, breeding
Literature type: Report
Language:
English
Full reference: Amato, G. 2010. A Review of the Conservation Genetics Issues Confronting the Lesser White-fronted Goose Recovery Program. , Executive Summary for unfinalized report.
Keywords: genetics, reintroduction
Literature type: General
Language:
English
Full reference: Lahti, K. & Markkola, J. 1995. Ringing recovery of a Finnish Lesser White-fronted Goose from the Russian areas. IWRB Goose Research Group Bulletin, No 6, August 1995. Pp. 27-28.
Keywords: Finland, migration, Fennoscandian
Number of results: 4